Why have you decided to live in Japan?: My parents had a restaurant in a small but beautiful harbour town and in the early 90’s, there were a lot of tourists from Japan. I remember vividly playing with little Japanese kids and being amazed by their electronic toys and cameras.
View More I LIVE IN JAPAN / Helene Fessard / Partnership Development Specialist
Shigenobu Okuma was one of the key figures in shaping modern Japan. He played a role in establishing the yen as the country’s currency, introduced Japan’s first railway, adopted the solar calendar, and developed the postal system.
View More JAPANESE SAMURAI / Shigenobu Okuma
How to Promote Japan to the World with a National Budget Becoming a Bridge Between Japan and the United States Yuko Kaifu Director of JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles What Are the Challenges Facing JAPAN HOUSE? “Having worked here for more than seven years now, I feel that the foundation has been laid. When I used to hand out my business card and visit places, people would ask, ‘Where are you from?’ But now, more often than not, they say, ‘I know it,’ or ‘I’ve been there.’ I feel a real sense that our name recognition has grown. JAPAN HOUSE Los…
View More [EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW] How to Promote Japan to the World with a National Budget
Tokugawa Yoshinobu was born in Edo (present-day Tokyo) in 1837. He was the seventh son of Tokugawa Nariaki, the ruler of Mito (present-day Ibaraki Prefecture) at the time, and was exceptionally talented among his siblings. Recognizing his intelligence, Nariaki raised him strictly from an early age as a future candidate for shogun.
View More JAPANESE SAMURAI / Tokugawa Yoshinobu
Yuzu is a small, highly aromatic citrus fruit native to East Asia, and it has been treasured in Japan for centuries. In modern times, it remains deeply rooted in Japan’s food culture and traditional customs. The fruit is roughly the size of a small grapefruit, with a rough, bumpy skin. As it ripens, its skin turns a vibrant yellow, releasing a powerful fragrance that can fill an entire room with just a single piece. The flavor of yuzu is uniquely complex, blending the sharp acidity of lemon, the gentle sweetness of mandarin orange, and a slight bitterness reminiscent of grapefruit.…
View More YUZU – Japan’s Citrus Star Taking Over Global Cuisine
Over 100 New Yukatas, imported from Kyoto, Japan, Kimono capital of the World!
View More Step into Summer with Yukata & Kimono Pop-Up in Gardena
1830 – 1859 吉田松陰 Shoin Yoshida The Crazy Man Who Acted with Japan in Mind Shoin Yoshida lived and flourished during the period of the Meiji Restoration, when the Edo shogunate, which had been at the top of Japan until then, fell, and a new Japan that incorporated Western culture began. During this era, many significant figures worked to create a better Japan, but among them, Shoin stood out as a thinker and educator who, both as a samurai and as a teacher, stayed true to his beliefs and influenced many people. Shoin lived for only 29 years. Let’s delve…
View More JAPANESE SAMURAI / Shoin Yoshida
Franklin Masahiro Nakabayashi The Honorary President of the LA Hakumon-kai (Chuo University Alumni Association) / the Honorary President of the Huntington Beach Sister City Association
View More [Japanese Interviews: Life in LA] Franklin Masahiro Nakabayashi The Honorary President of the LA Hakumon-kai (Chuo University Alumni Association) / the Honorary President of the Huntington Beach Sister City Association
Kenji Ono Nickelodeon Animation Studio, Supervising Producer
View More [Japanese Interviews: Life in LA] Kenji Ono Nickelodeon Animation Studio, Supervising Producer
Over 100 New Yukatas, imported from Kyoto, Japan, Kimono capital of the World!
View More Kyoto Maruhisa Hosts 2-Day Pop-Up in Gardena Featuring Kimonos and Handcrafted Japanese Goods
Pickleball is more than just a sport—it’s a way to connect, move, and enjoy the moment.
View More The 3rd TAMUKEN CUP: A Pickleball Tournament Where Fun Comes First!
1847 – 1934 東郷平八郎 Heihachiro Togo A Legendary Admiral Who Shaped Japan’s Naval Legacy Early Life Heihachiro Tōgō was born in 1848 in Satsuma (present-day Kagoshima), coming from a samurai family. From a young age, he dedicated himself to academics, swordsmanship, and sumo wrestling. In Satsuma, the secretive sword style Jigen-ryū was passed down, and Heihachiro maintained a strong connection to its teachings throughout his life. Famous for its powerful downward strikes and focus on the first blow, Jigen-ryū’s philosophy of “abandoning wisdom” resonated deeply with Heihachiro, even after witnessing the might of the British Royal Navy. This formidable style…
View More JAPANESE SAMURAI / Heihachiro Togo